The disaster plan for businesses

Businesses looking to create an emergency plan for their companies – be they manufacturing plants or retail outlets – can find very helpful information from the Federal Emergency Management Administration. Their website http://www.ready.gov/business is a good starting point..

Here are some tips for business owners to get started on emergency preparedness.

If you have a voice mail system at your office, designate one remote number on which you can record messages for employees. Provide the number to all employees.

Arrange for programmable call forwarding for your main business line(s). Then, if you can’t get to the office, you can call in and reprogram the phones to ring elsewhere.

If you may not be able to get to your business quickly after an emergency, leave keys and alarm code(s) with a trusted employee or friend who is closer.

Install emergency lights that turn on when the power goes out. They are inexpensive and widely available at building supply retailers.

Back up computer data frequently throughout the business day. Keep a backup tape off site.

Use UL-listed surge protectors and battery backup systems. They will add protection for sensitive equipment and help prevent a computer crash if the power goes out.

Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio with a tone alert feature. Keep it on and when the warning signal sounds, listen for information about possible severe weather and protective actions to take.

Stock a minimum supply of the goods, materials and equipment you would need for business continuity.

Consult with your insurance agent about special precautions to take for disasters that may directly impact your business. Remember, most policies do not cover earthquake and flood damage. Protect valuable property and equipment with special riders.

Discuss business continuity insurance with your agent.

Keep emergency supplies handy, including flashlights with extra batteries, first-aid kit, tools, food and water for employees and customers to use during a period of unexpected confinement at your business, such as if a tanker truck overturned nearby and authorities told everyone in the area to stay put for an extended period.

You should also consider having a professional install flexible connectors to appliances and equipment fueled by natural gas, shutters that you can close to protect windows from damage caused by debris blown by a hurricane, tornado or severe storm, automatic fire sprinklers.

By Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, weather forecasters had noticed cold air funneling into New England from Canada and the storm brewing off the Carolina coast. They predicted a big storm. It had already been a freak year for weather. New England received record snow in January, passed a warm early spring and the Springfield area was hit by tornadoes June …

Emergency preparedness plans are much like wills and retirement savings: people acknowledge they are good things to do to prepare for the unexpected, but many don’t have them. That is the analogy Rick Lee, director of the American Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter, uses when talking about why residents and businesses seem reluctant about creating an emergency preparedness plan. Last …

When weather-related events or other disasters strike, one of the first groups of responders people in need expect to see is the American Red Cross. But just what the role of the national humanitarian agency, established in 1881, is and how it operates are not always understood. Despite that long history, local Red Cross officials say there are some misconceptions …

Here are items to include in a home kit: prescription medicine; prescription glasses; first-aid supplies; list of emergency phone numbers; list of family members' allergies (especially to any medication); special dietary needs; medications taken by family members; baby supplies including formula and diapers; copies of important documents such as insurance policies, identification, and bank records in a waterproof container; matches …

How can parents prepare their children for natural disasters? Experts in childhood behavior say parents should be aware of their own state of mind before soothing their children. Many children in the midst of natural catastrophes are stirred by trauma, but a little preparation can go a long way. Disasters are unpredictable so families should perfect a plan well in …

Gov. Deval Patrick declared a state of emergency Sunday in advance of Hurricane Sandy’s expected arrival today. Patrick directed all schools and state offices to close, and non-emergency state workers to stay home today and encouraged private employers to tell their workers to also stay home. Here is essential information for area residents: ∎ All state buildings are closed. ∎ …